A longtime fixture in the community appears to be closing its doors on the city's west side.

The lease for Bordner's grocery store, 2226 Lincoln Way W, expires in mid-December, and the business must be out of the building in the Mayflower Shopping Center by Dec. 14, a store employee said Tuesday.

Bordner's has been around since 1910, according to a sign posted at the west-side store.

One frequent customer expressed regret about news of the grocery store shutting down.

"It's a shame if it closes," said Kate Warren, a 25-year customer of Bordner's. "A lot of people are going to miss the store. It's the only one on the west side of town."

According to a real estate listing on LCRealty.com, the 31,449-square-foot building housing the Lincoln Way W Bordner's is available for lease. Other businesses at the shopping center include Family Dollar, East of Chicago pizza, Famous Hair, Baltzly Drug West and Household Treasures.

A call to the Mayflower Development Co. was not returned.

Kitty Bordner, owner of the Lincoln Way store in addition to the Bordner's on Wales Road NE, declined to comment when asked about the closure Tuesday at her Jackson Township home.

When contacted by phone Tuesday, Bordner's manager, Dave Karris, also refused to discuss the upcoming closure, referring all inquiries to Kitty Bordner.

Another Bordner's customer, Debbie Getz, noted the store's proximity to her west side city residence and said she hopes another business takes it over.

"It's been convenient for me," Getz said. "I can always run over here much quicker than going to Wal-Mart or Giant Eagle."

BUEHLER'S MOVING IN?

Buehler Food Markets, Inc. applied Oct. 31 to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control for a "new alcoholic beverage permit" at the address where the west side Bordner's is located.

Bob Buehler, vice president of the company's marketing and merchandising, verified the liquor permit application and said discussions are ongoing with the landlord of the Bordner's location about a potential move.

"We're talking to them," Buehler said. "But there's no agreement to move in. It would be false to say there was an agreement."

Buehler's has 14 stores in Northeast Ohio, according to Buehler, who said the company is hoping to grow.

"We are looking for new locations," he said.

Buehler's opened in 1929 in New Philadelphia. Its main store, which opened in 1932, is in Wooster.